Alise Kennedy (UK)

ALISE KENNEDY

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Biography:

Alise Kennedy’s career in theatre costume at Shakespeare’s Globe and the Royal Ballet has given her a diverse language of construction techniques and a sense of drama, spotlighting the material and visual potential of textiles in her jewellery. Alise graduated with an MA in Design (Jewellery) from Central St. Martins in 2020. She has an affinity with textiles and an experimental approach to materials. Working with repurposed fabrics, Alise is interested in their expressive colour and texture, their ability to hold a sculptural form, and the way that they retain a visual history of use.

Collection Concept:

Textiles intimately connect with the body, and denim is universally recognisable as clothing. It fades and changes through wear making it particularly eloquent. The densely packed, folded forms of this jewellery are inspired by starched ruffs of the 16th Century when textiles were cherished.

These pieces represent a fascinating contradiction - denim is familiar and democratic, yet often unsustainably produced. By contrasting repurposed denim with silver and gold and relocating it on the body, I provoke a re-engagement with denim, celebrating its colour and texture.

Brooch, sterling silver, repurposed denim

Brooch, recycled silver, repurposed denim

Necklace, repurposed denim, gold leaf, cord

Neck piece,, repurposed denim, gold leaf, recycled sterling silver